NBA star Ja Morant is in trouble because of HIS DECISIONS — not his friends’ — says Grizzlies guard father Tee at basketball camp as his son prepares to serve a 25-game ban for speed pistol
- Tee Morant, 45, spoke at Up Next Elite Camp in New Orleans
- The elder Morant blamed Ja’s suspension on his own decisions and not those of others.
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Yes, Morant’s 25-game ban from the NBA is his own fault — and not his friends’, the Memphis Grizzlies star’s father told younger players at a recent basketball camp.
Tee Morant, Ja’s 45-year-old father, gave a speech at Up Next Elite Camp in New Orleans, where he offered advice on maturity, telling campers to “pay attention to every decision they make.”
“My son didn’t get into trouble because of the people around him,” Tee Morant said in a clip that has since gone viral. “He got into trouble because of his choices.”
Morant was first suspended for eight games in March after he was spotted brandishing a gun at a strip club. The all-star point guard was later seen in a social media video waving a handgun at the camera, leading to his upcoming 25-game suspension early in the 2023-24 season.
“The smallest thing you can do can make the biggest difference in your life,” Tee added. “When I talk about life and life, I get kind of emotional … but I’m just telling you guys to make the right choices.”
24-year-old Morant’s once promising career has faltered due to the gun incidents, both of which happened on camera.
“My son didn’t get into trouble because of the people around him. He got into trouble because of his choices.”
Tee Morant speaks to participants at the Up Next Elite Camp in New Orleans. One of the topics the children asked about today was how do you deal with people talking about you. pic.twitter.com/DNtfLfmzBy
— REL (@relmyers) August 19, 2023
Tee Morant (left) is a staple at Grizzlies games both in and out of Memphis
He’s also being sued by a college basketball player who says the younger Morant hit him during a pick-up game in 2022.
Last month, attorneys representing Morant received provisional clearance from a Tennessee judge to argue that their client acted in self-defense when he punched 17-year-old aspiring basketball player Joshua Holloway.
The future of Holloway’s lawsuit largely depends on Morant being allowed to say he acted in self-defense.
Morant’s attorneys have admitted he once hit Holloway after Holloway threw a basketball at Morant and the ball caught Morant in the chin. In a July 26 filing, the player’s attorneys said he should be spared liability under the state’s Stand Your Ground law, which allows people who feel threatened inside their homes to use force in certain situations to proceed.
Morant’s second gun incident (pictured) resulted in a 25-game suspension for the All-Star
District Court Judge Carol Chumney said the next step will be to hear from attorneys in the case, including those representing the Tennessee Attorney General, whether the law could be applied to the case under the state constitution.
Holloway was 17 when the lawsuit was filed. It alleges assault, reckless endangerment, abuse or neglect, and inflicting emotional distress on Morant and his friend, Vomute Pack. In an amended complaint, the plaintiff was identified as Holloway, who is now 18 years old.
Morant filed a countersuit alleging defamation, assault, and assault against Holloway.
No criminal charges have been filed against Morant.